From Wikitravel

Mutsu (むつ) [1] is the largest town of the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori, Japan.

Mutsu (pop. 65000) is the largest city on the Shimokita Peninsula. It sits across the bay from Aomori City and thus enjoys the blessings of the sea. On a clear day, the Hakkoda mountain range as well as Mt. Iwaki can been seen. Mutsu enjoys the four seasons with plenty of snow in the winter and a relatively cool summer. Centrally located, Mutsu is a great place to stay if interested in seeing the various sites of the peninsula. Hotokegaura, Omazaki, Shiryazaki, Osorezan and Yagen Onsen are all an easy drive away. Mt. Kamafuse overlooks the city and offers a couple chair lifts in the winter and a decent hike in the summer. Since the amalgamation of Mutsu with three neighboring towns in 2005, it is now geographically the biggest city in Aomori.

[edit] Get in

Mutsu is well connected by Shimokita standards.

[edit] By train

The JR Ominato line from Noheji (on the Tohoku main line) passes through Shimokita station (下北駅) in the southern suburbs of Mutsu.

From Tokyo station it takes roughly five hours to reach Shimokita. You will need to take three trains: The Tohoku Shinkansen Hayate to Hachinohe, a limited express train (Tsugaru or Hakucho) to Noheji, then the Ominato local. This trip will make your wallet almost ¥17000 lighter each way.

The private Shimokita Kotsu Railway stopped operating in 2001.

[edit] By bus

Buses from Mutsu's central bus terminal connect to various points in the peninsula, including Ohata (35 min, many daily), Oma (1.5h, 8 daily) and Mount Osore (30 min, 4 daily). No direct services to the Yagen Valley though, you'll have to connect through Ohata in time to catch the single daily bus.

There are several services daily to Aomori (3.5h) and even occasional direct sleeper buses to Tokyo.

[edit] Get around

Local bus services provide transportation around Mutsu, but the center is small enough to walk.

[edit] See & Do

Central Mutsu has a number of quaint bars and restaurants. The outskirts of the city have more tourist destinations, and many spots on the Shimokita Peninsula are fairly convenient to get to.

• The northern command of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces is located on the road to Kawauchi, at the very edge of the city. Visitors can request tours of the base, which is home to several destroyers and other vessels. (Note, however, that these tours are unlikely to be available in English).
• There are a few onsen on the outskirts of Mutsu.

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Mutsu has a wide selection of reasonably cheap lodgings (¥6000+ with two meals), and the tourist information office is glad to help you book.

[edit] Cope

Mutsu's tourist office (Masakari Plaza, tel. 0175-22-0909), near the bus terminal, is helpful and can provide basic information in English, not just for Mutsu but the entire peninsula. They will also book accommodation for you.

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